In a significant development, a businessman has pleaded guilty to conspiring with the leader of an offshoot polygamous sect near the Arizona-Utah border in a case involving the transportation of underage girls across state lines for sexual activity. This marks the first conviction in what authorities describe as a disturbing scheme to orchestrate sexual acts involving children.
The businessman, Moroni Johnson, admitted to participating in a conspiracy with the sect's leader, self-proclaimed prophet Samuel Bateman, to transport four girls under the age of 18 for sexual purposes. The illegal activities reportedly took place over a three-year period, ending in September 2022.
Authorities revealed that Bateman had established a network spanning multiple states as he sought to establish an offshoot of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Bateman and his followers practice polygamy, a belief system that they claim brings exaltation in heaven.
The FBI disclosed that Bateman had taken more than 20 wives, including 10 girls under the age of 18. He allegedly distributed wives as gifts to his male followers, citing divine instructions. Bateman's extensive travels across several states reportedly involved regular sexual encounters with minor girls, some of which were recorded and transmitted electronically.
Furthermore, Bateman imposed severe punishments on his followers for perceived wrongdoings, claiming that these directives came from a divine source. Johnson, under pressure from Bateman, was coerced into relinquishing three of his wives as a form of atonement.
The case came to light when Bateman was arrested in August 2022 after authorities discovered three girls, aged between 11 and 14, in an enclosed trailer in Flagstaff. Subsequent investigations led to additional charges against Bateman, including obstructing justice in a federal inquiry into child trafficking.
Following his second arrest, nine children were removed from Bateman's residence and placed in foster care. Eight of these children later escaped, with the assistance of three adult wives, and were found in Washington state. Bateman has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, with his trial scheduled for September 10.
Several of Bateman's adult wives have already pleaded guilty to various charges, including conspiracy to commit tampering with an official proceeding. Additional charges are pending against other individuals associated with the sect, who have pleaded not guilty.
